Dorlan Mill Road bridge re-opens

UPPER UWCHLAN – The Dorlan Mill Road Bridge over the east branch of the Brandywine Creek was reopened Wednesday morning, according to PennDOT.

The bridge, which was closed on Oct. 24, is now open to one travel lane, with stop signs controlling two-way traffic, PennDOT said. The bridge is serves both Upper Uwchlan and East Brandywine.

Dorlan Mill Road bridge was also posted with a new 10-ton weight restriction, PennDOT said. Prior to being shut down, the bridge was posted with a three-ton weight limit, the lowest restriction allowed by PennDOT.

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According to PennDOT, crews created a single travel lane in the center of the bridge by “installing delineators, painting traffic lines and adding stops signs and stop bars.”

The bridge was originally closed at the end of October due to severe deterioration of four steel beams on the outside of the bridge. PennDOT added that the three beams in the center of the bridge were determined to be able to safely carry traffic.

Prior to its closure, the bridge carried 3,215 vehicles a day, PennDOT said.

“We are pleased to reopen Dorlan Mill Road so motorists once again can travel over the Brandywine Creek in this part of Chester County,” said PennDOT District Executive Lester C. Toaso in a statement. “We urge motorists to use care when crossing the bridge as it now carries only one travel lane.”

After the bridge was shut down, PennDOT cautioned that it would not be reopened until funds were found to repair it. However on Oct. 30, Sen. John Rafferty, R-44th of Collegeville, and Rep. Becky Corbin, R-155th of East Brandywine, joined local township officials and PennDOT representatives to devise a plan to reopen it to one lane by the end of the year.

Upper Uwchlan Township Manager Cary Vargo said that the township was “thankful” for the help from the various organizations and elected officials in devising a plan to reopen the bridge.

“It was nice that Upper Uwchlan and surrounding townships could work together along with PennDOT and elected officials to get that bridge open,” said Guy Donatelli, chairman of the township’s board of supervisors.

According to Vargo, the township hopes that the bridge will eventually be replaced. Both Donatelli and Vargo said they hope that the recent passage of the state’s transportation bill will allow more road and infrastructure work to take place in the region.

“It’s safe to say that that particular bridge will not open up beyond what it currently is,” said Vargo. “Our emphasis, and it’s a positive now that the transportation bill has passed, is we’re going to try to work with the Chester County Planning Commission and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to replace that bridge.”

Follow staff writer on Twitter at @KendalGapinski.

About the Author

Kendal Gapinski is the Daily Local News reporter covering events in the Whiteland and Uwchlan areas. She is a 2013 graduate from American University. Reach the author at kgapinski@dailylocal.com
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